First VAIO smartphone unveiled

Published March 13, 2015 5:51pm

Remember VAIO, the laptop brand Sony sold off? It's back, as a smartphone—and potential competition against its former parent company's Xperia phones.

To be launched via Japan's b-mobile, the first VAIO smartphone is powered by Google's Android operating system, and retains the stylish VAIO logo.

But tech site Engadget noted that, unlike its laptop counterparts, this VAIO smartphone - at least version 1.0 - isn't quite flashy or high-end in terms of specs.

"There's five-inch display, Android 5.0, 13-megapixel camera and enough power behind the purposely unassuming shell: two gigs of RAM and 1.2GHz processor. And it all looks, well, just... okay," Engadget said.

Engadget also said VAIO's first smartphone has no crazy camera tech, and has a mere 720p screen - but it can sell along with unlimited data for just Y4,000 a month.

On the other hand, Engadget cited a report by Blog of mobile that the phone already has stiff competition in Panasonic's Eluga U2, which was launched in Taiwan and has similar specs but "a fraction of the price."

Still, tech site The Verge said the phone might appeal to those with nostalgia for the VAIO brand.

"But it’s intriguing to note VAIO’s entry into the market nonetheless, as speculation rumbles over whether Sony’s own smartphones have a future," The Verge said. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News

Tags: sony, sonyvaio, vaio, smartphone